pickpocket

/ˈpɪkpɒkɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɪkpɑːkɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpik-ˌpä-kət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpɪkˌpɒk.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɪkˌpɑː.kɪt/ (ame, ipa)

pickpocket — noun

  • pickpocketsingular
  • pickpocketsplural

1. someone who quietly takes wallets, phones, or other valuables from another perso

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone who quietly takes wallets, phones, or other valuables from another person's pocket or bag, usually in a busy public place

例句

Jisoo felt a pickpocket open her backpack on the packed train.

pattern: feel a pickpocket + bare infinitive

Police officers caught a pickpocket near the ticket machines after the concert.

collocation: catch a pickpocket

同義詞
  • thief

    broader term for anyone who steals

  • mugger

    uses threats or violence instead of quiet stealing

  • snatcher

    quickly grabs something visible, often from a hand or shoulder

用法筆記

Usually used for a thief who works quietly on trains, buses, or in markets. If the person uses force or threats, words like 'robber' or 'mugger' are more accurate.

常見錯誤

❌A robber took Mei's phone from her backpack on the subway.
✅A pickpocket took Mei's phone from her backpack on the subway.
💡'robber' suggests force or threats, while 'pickpocket' stresses secret stealing in a crowd.

pickpocket — verb